Stage 37 Culture

The council (#1-4) Aka consilium Aka amici principis Helps emperor deal with workload and keep the favor of the people Invited by the emperor, it was not a fixed membership typically senators or equites

New emperor means… (#5) New consilium – want to pack the audience with yes men Even though emperor has final say, he wants to keep up the appearance of the Republic

Advice Needed (#6) Matters varied greatly help during crisis What to do about the famine? help on delicate matters Who will be my heir? advice on foreign affairs Should we invade Germany? advice on local issues How much should we tax? Should we find them guilty?

Council Speaks (#7-10) Members offer their sententiae (opinions) In theory, members could speak freely In practice, under some emperors, it was dangerous to disagree with the emperor Emperor may deliberate alone or make split decision Emperor not bound by opinions of consilium, and can ignore it (but he needs to keep people happy)

Cursus Honorum

The ladder of success (#1-4) Men in the senatorial class compete with each other for official positions While climbing up, his status and responsibilities increase. Some positions are mandatory and are prerequisite for other positions Some positions had age restrictions suo anno – gain the position in earliest year possible

Gaining positions (#4) Some officials were chosen by the emperor Others elected by the senate (but emperor puts in his own opinion) Emperor can grant special permission for a man to skip a step on the ladder

Bottom - vigintivir 1 yr term Help in management of law courts and prisons Minting of Roman coinage

Tribunus militum Serve as an officer in the legion Typically 1 year

Quaestor Management of public money 1 year This position resulted into entry into the senate

Tribunus plebis or aedile 1 of 10 1 of 6 Originally act as helpers to plebs Keep up public buildings Lost most power by empire Aid in putting on entertainment

Praetor Run law courts Now eligible for positions abroad (pro-praetorships) – e.g. – govern a province, command a legion (praefectus)

Top - Consul 2 men Preside over senate meetings Supervise government business Ex-consuls govern most important provinces Novus homo – 1st member of family to make it to consulship

Cream Rises to the Top (#7) Not all men made it to consul Lets emperor see the best men Gives men opportunity to show their skill set

Agricola – good with soldiers Tribunus militum in Britain Quaestor in Asia Tribunus plebis Praetor Legatus Pro-praetor of Aquitania Consul Pro-praetor of Britain Pliny - good with money Vigintivir Tribunum militum in Syria Quaestor in Rome Praefectus aerarii militum Praefectus aerarii Saturnii Augur priesthood Curator Tiberis Legatus Augusti